2 Stamford Schools Placed On CT School Building Project Priority List

STAMFORD, CT — The proposed Roxbury K-8 school is among six school projects statewide to be recommended for new construction. Additionally, Westhill High School is one of two projects to be recommended for reauthorization.

Earlier this year, the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services revised the reimbursement rate for Stamford Public School projects. The Roxbury project will be eligible for 60 percent reimbursement, while the Westhill project would be eligible for 80 percent.

"It’s been an honor to have worked with our colleagues within the city grants department, OPM, and engineering departments, SPS facilities and the Roxbury school community to move the project to the next step in the process. A lot of hard work has gone into this," said Associate Superintendent for Stamford Public Schools Michael Fernandes, in a news release.

Roxbury Principal Mark Bonasera noted, "The input of many members of our school community guided the development of the initial structural design. Being able to remain on our campus during construction is a key advantage."

The list of recommended projects will be voted on by the Connecticut General Assembly during the upcoming legislative session.

"I am thrilled that Roxbury School has been included in the state legislature’s school construction priority list," said Mayor Caroline Simmons in a news release. "Our schools have many capital needs and having state support allows us to be better positioned to fully fund and implement the improvements and vision of the Long-Term Facilities Plan. I look forward to continuing to work with Superintendent Dr. Lucero and her team and the state delegation to ensure we secure all funding opportunities available that will go toward enhancing the quality of our schools for Stamford students, teachers, and administrators."

According to the school district, numerous studies note the connection between environmental quality, comfort, health and well-being with positive attitudes and behavior, and higher levels of educational performance.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, "Improvements in school environmental quality can enhance academic performance, as well as staff productivity and retention."